Zone 9 to 12, a tuberous-rooted perennial vine. Grown as an annual in zones 8 and under, 90 days to maturity.

(Scarlet Emperor Bean, Scarlet Runner Bean or Bean, Scarlet Runner) Heirloom originating prior to the year 1750. Native to Mexico and Central America. The showy, bright-scarlet flowers grow in profuse clumps, one-upped only by the mature, magically varicolored beans themselves (violet-black with rosy spots, weighing over a gram each, enough to turn the head of Jack-in-the-beanstalk). The green beans, the dried beans, and the tuberous root are all edible. Cultivation: Very, very fun and a good activity for kids. Germination like a small earthquake. Direct seed in a richly composted hill in the early spring. For seed production get an early start, sowing just before the last frost of spring. Provide trellis or grow on the corn. Will run on the ground if not trellised, but for ease of picking, and a good, dry pod in the end, trellis.